Milking Claw Closing Valve with Membrane for Vacuum Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing closing valve in milking machine claws does not optimize automatic opening and closing, particularly during various milking and disinfection operations, leading to inefficient vacuum management and potential high vacuum loss when a teatcup is lost.
Innovation Solution
A closing valve with a membrane that holds the valve body in an intermediate position between open and closed states, allowing quick movement to either position based on pressure differences, and includes a physical stop member and leakage channel for controlled operation, along with a button member for manual control to prevent gas leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the closing valve is designed to close automatically when attached to teats, then the passage is sealed to prevent gas flow, but the valve response time is slow and vacuum loss occurs when teatcups are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is made dynamically responsive by connecting it to a membrane that reacts to pressure changes. The membrane transforms static vacuum pressure into dynamic valve actuation, enabling the valve to automatically open or close based on real-time pressure conditions rather than relying on slow mechanical attachment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The valve utilizes pneumatic pressure differential across the membrane to drive valve actuation. When vacuum pressure in the inner space exceeds atmospheric pressure by a threshold, the pressure differential causes the membrane to deform and rapidly move the valve body to the closed position, achieving fast response without mechanical linkages
2Loss of energy
If the valve closes quickly to prevent gas flow, then vacuum loss is minimized, but the valve may close unnecessarily during normal operation
Solution Approach 1:
The valve actuation is controlled by changing the pressure parameter across the membrane. The membrane responds only when the pressure differential exceeds a specific threshold value, providing automatic control with built-in hysteresis that prevents unnecessary actuation during normal vacuum variations while ensuring rapid closure when significant vacuum loss occurs
3Speed
If a membrane is added to control valve position, then quick response is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible membrane is used as the actuating element to replace complex mechanical linkages. The membrane's elasticity and deformability under pressure differential provide the necessary quick response, while its simple disc-like geometry and direct connection to the valve body minimize structural complexity compared to traditional piston-crank or cam-follower mechanisms
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enables quick and efficient valve operation, minimizing vacuum loss and ensuring proper milking and disinfection processes by automatically adjusting to different phases of operation, including teatcup attachment and detachment.
Implementation Method 1
When there is a pressure difference over the valve body, the membrane will deform and thus move the valve body to the closed position or to the open position
Implementation Method 2
the membrane will deform and thus move the valve body to the closed position or to the open position
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 7~8
AI summary
A claw (C) for a milking machine comprises an enclosure having an upper part (1) and a lower part (2) and enclosing an inner space (3) for a milk flow during a milking operation. Inlet members (8) for receiving a respective short milk conduit (9) permit feeding of milk to the inner space from a respective teatcup. An outlet nipple (12) permits discharge of the milk from inner space. A passage is provided for the milk from the inner space to the outlet nipple. A closing valve (33) comprises a valve body (34) movable to a closed position, in which the passage is closed, and to an open position in which the passage is open. The closing valve comprises a membrane (35) connected to the valve body and having a rest state at which the membrane holds the valve body in an intermediate position between the open position and the closed position.